"Who do you say I am?"

(Matthew 16:15)  “He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"”

Everything in life seems to work under some form of governance. We know that time is measured and although defining time presents difficulties, measuring it does not; it is the most accurately measured physical quantity, as some of the budding scientist claim and as I am not amongst that number I will take their word for it. Gravity is look upon as a natural phenomenon, which is easily understood, it plays itself out in nature no differently to the rising and the setting of the sun, it happens! We do not question their validity, not even the fool would look to argue one of these truths. The common man, the natural man, explains this away as a natural marvel, but the spiritual man accredits it to God who is spiritual.

Simply put everyone who is not sanctified by the blood of the lamb will look to serve the creature rather than the creator. That is quite a statement! But think long and hard about this fact. Here is a portion of scripture that will help you arrive at your conclusion; “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith." For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” (Romans 1:16-20)

The Christian has arrived and no longer constantly struggles to understand the purpose of life, God has had favour on them and given them life, they are no longer blind but now they can see! Of course we still struggle trying to understand many truths within the truth. We look to the Holy Scriptures to enter into a deeper more meaningful relationship with the only true God. But there is no more doubt about who the true Avatar is; we have come face to face with our Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ! Praise His name!

Avatar is a 2009 American epic science fiction film written and directed by James Cameron. “avatar” means; -  In Hinduism an avatar, is a deliberate descent of a deity from heaven to earth, or a descent of the Supreme Being and is mostly translated into English as "incarnation", but more accurately as "appearance" or "manifestation". Do we see the communication portrayed in this film? Here we have James Cameron propagating a message that is full of undertones about Mother Nature. I do not have time to highlight all these suggestions but to say there is a cripple man who gets plugged into a machine and enters a phantasy world (spiritual world) and he seeks out the meaning of life and eventually gets plugged into a tree (Mother Nature) and receives a special kind of power and finally defeats the enemy on the back of a red dragon.

“The Last Airbender”, this story follows the adventures of Aang, a young successor to a long line of Avatars, who must put his childhood ways aside and stop the Fire Nation from enslaving the Water, Earth and Air nations. A story about a young boy who is the avatar, who learns how to control the four elements of nature; fire, air, water and earth and eventual defeats the enemy.

Both these movies are stories filled with hope, but a false hope, although it is only phantasy, the undertones of both movies speak volumes of what is a lie. The answer to life is and can only ever be found in and through the Lord Jesus Christ. Every known religion has a message of hope and is linked to the realm of faith. Even God’s own people, the seed of Abraham look for their Messiah, they do not understand that He has already come, they crucified Him! And yet God in His mercy will yet again appear to the seed of Abraham. In fact all will see Him for who He is, whether they call upon him now or not; “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.” (Revelation 1:7) 

Many look still for their avatar, but praise God, the Christian no longer gropes in the dark looking for theirs as we have found the only true Avatar, we have come face to face with Him, praise the glorious name of our Saviour, the One who died in our stead, the One who paid the price for our sin, yes it is the Lord Jesus Christ. But let us never forget how we have come to this marvellous understanding; “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesian 2:8-9)  

Let us never forget that it is only the goodness of God that leads a man to repentance, we too were once blind and groped in the dark clutching at straws looking for answers. BUT GOD who is rich in mercy has given us sight to see! Therefore let us not forget to constantly pray for friends and loved ones who still grope in the dark as they look to the creature rather than the Creator for the true answers to life and its eternal meaning.

Signing off

Tyrone

A true test!

(John 15:5) “For apart from me you can do nothing.”

Our minds, by nature, do not love spiritual things. We will attend to any outward duty, or to any external rite; but to bring our hearts into subjection to the divine will, to bow our minds to the Most High, and to serve the Lord our God with all our heart, and all our soul is foreign to the natural man, in fact he abhors it. Yet nothings less than this will suffice to turn our captivity. Yet without this happening, we will remain locked into carnal reasoning and be rendered useless. Faith will not accompany us on our daily walk, and we know “without faith” it is impossible to please God.

All or nothing, or is it line upon line, or both!

There is one obvious conclusion we must arrive at; we are helpless without God, but do we confess that before Him, do we really fall to our knees crying for help? The first thing that is required of us is to bemoan the fact that, by and of ourselves, we can do nothing; even as our Lord said to his disciples, "apart from me ye can do nothing."

Let us just stop for a minute, what is the context of this statement? This comment from the Lord Jesus would also obviously apply to all under the banner of “common grace” (we breathe and live because God has so willed it); even the atheist lives and breathes! He does not believe that God exists and yet God allows him to live and breathe. This is not John’s point; his point speaks of a special kind of grace, elected grace. It is of a spiritual nature and it has nothing to do with the carnal will or mind-set. But with it comes a particular life-style, look at this portion of scripture…

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:4-11)

How many of us claim to be children of God, but when we look into the mirror or others look too the way we live, do they find us wanting? Self-Denial, robbing us of a richer lifestyle with our Lord and Saviour! We pretend that all is well with our souls and yet we live no differently to the heathen. For if we were sold out, and we walked in obedience to how we had been called, would we not live differently? I suggest we would! How often have I asked for something and not received it? “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” What then get in the way? Is it not our carnal natures? It can only be our selfish wills that gets in the way; “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” (James 4:3) – It is obvious then why we do not receive what we ask for at times. It is all about our carnal wants and not the Lord’s will for our lives. What is a man to do? Our half-doing is our undoing; but when we cease from self, then we make way for God. The sooner we recognize this truth, the better.

“We must, next, have a universal desire for the presence of God with us. I mean by that, that every Christian man and every Christian woman must agonize with God that he would come into the camp; not merely some few of us desiring it, but all of us vehemently crying unto the Lord, "Come, Lord, and tarry not."

Moreover, there must be a conscientious obedience to his word, a strict adherence to his truth, his doctrine, his precepts, to the whole of Christ's rule and law. He will not prosper us unless we are careful to follow every step that he has taken. God help us to have this conscientious care, this coming out from those who may not be thus careful, according to his word. "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."” (C.H.Spurgeon)

There seems to be so many bad habits that still live with me. There must be an agonising urgency from us to God as we call out to Him day and night if we are to prove that He is the vine and we are the branches.

May God help us to be about His will and not our wants!

Signing off

Tyrone

                                                                                                     

The perfect pair!

Our hope of heaven, what does that look like? Do we spend enough time soaking in the bubbles of hope nourishing the spirit? Just as moisturizer is good for the skin, so hope for the soul! Our “forgettories” play a large part in daily living and it is no different with hope, we need constant reminding of what we are on about and why? But enough of my opinions let those who have stood the test of time speak…

“The voice of weeping shall be no more heard.”

- Isa_65:19

The glorified weep no more, for all outward causes of grief are gone. There are no broken friendships, nor blighted prospects in heaven. Poverty, famine, peril, persecution, and slander, are unknown there. No pain distresses, no thought of death or bereavement saddens. They weep no more, for they are perfectly sanctified. No “evil heart of unbelief” prompts them to depart from the living God; they are without fault before his throne, and are fully conformed to his image. Well may they cease to mourn who have ceased to sin. They weep no more, because all fear of change is past. They know that they are eternally secure. Sin is shut out, and they are shut in. They dwell within a city which shall never be stormed; they bask in a sun which shall never set; they drink of a river which shall never dry; they pluck fruit from a tree which shall never wither. Countless cycles may revolve, but eternity shall not be exhausted, and while eternity endures, their immortality and blessedness shall co-exist with it. They are for ever with the Lord. They weep no more, because every desire is fulfilled. They cannot wish for anything which they have not in possession. Eye and ear, heart and hand, judgment, imagination, hope, desire, will, all the faculties, are completely satisfied; and imperfect as our present ideas are of the things which God hath prepared for them that love him, yet we know enough, by the revelation of the Spirit, that the saints above are supremely blessed. The joy of Christ, which is an infinite fulness of delight, is in them. They bathe themselves in the bottomless, shoreless sea of infinite beatitude. That same joyful rest remains for us. It may not be far distant. Ere long the weeping willow shall be exchanged for the palm-branch of victory, and sorrow’s dewdrops will be transformed into the pearls of everlasting bliss. “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (C.H.Spurgeon)

But for this reality to survive our minds and hearts must be fed with faith. No different from soap needed for hygiene to live in our lives, they go hand in hand, the perfect pair, so too faith and hope an ideal pair.

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith.”

- Eph_3:17

Beyond measure it is desirable that we, as believers, should have the person of Jesus constantly before us, to inflame our love towards him, and to increase our knowledge of him. I would to God that my readers were all entered as diligent scholars in Jesus’ college, students of Corpus Christi, or the body of Christ, resolved to attain unto a good degree in the learning of the cross. But to have Jesus ever near, the heart must be full of him, welling up with his love, even to overrunning; hence the apostle prays “that Christ may dwell in your hearts.” See how near he would have Jesus to be! You cannot get a subject closer to you than to have it in the heart itself. “That he may dwell”; not that he may call upon you sometimes, as a casual visitor enters into a house and tarries for a night, but that he may dwell; that Jesus may become the Lord and Tenant of your inmost being, never more to go out.

Observe the words-that he may dwell in your heart, that best room of the house of manhood; not in your thoughts alone, but in your affections; not merely in the mind’s meditations, but in the heart’s emotions. We should pant after love to Christ of a most abiding character, not a love that flames up and then dies out into the darkness of a few embers, but a constant flame, fed by sacred fuel, like the fire upon the altar which never went out. This cannot be accomplished except by faith. Faith must be strong, or love will not be fervent; the root of the flower must be healthy, or we cannot expect the bloom to be sweet. Faith is the lily’s root, and love is the lily’s bloom. Now, reader, Jesus cannot be in your heart’s love except you have a firm hold of him by your heart’s faith; and, therefore, pray that you may always trust Christ in order that you may always love him. If love be cold, be sure that faith is drooping. (C.H.Spurgeon)

Signing off

Tyrone

WHY!

(Psalms 10:1) “Why, O LORD, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?”

 Why… I wonder why? Seems to have such a great part to play in our lives, it is ingredient of our daily routine. As much as we may reassure ourselves that God’s is in control, and He is! We nevertheless ask the question why? Take yesterday morning as an example; I was just about to do my final edit on the mornings post and it was on that tricky subject “spiritual gifts” and out of the blue my computer died. At first I thought there had been a power failure, but on further inspection everything else was still powered up. I mean everything! And there are at least ten plugs coming out of the one power point. My first question; how did that happen, I unplugged the plug and plugged it into another power point that I know was working and nothing, my computer remained lifeless! My logic now tried to work out what had just happened. Or should this subject be left unaddressed? But then the real concern kicked in, WHY? There I was looking for justification for why this had now happened. Was this now necessary I now thought with anger welling up inside.

Let us consider my emotions for a moment; these were my initial thoughts; for 347 days I have constantly blog without missing a post, so WHY was this now happening? Was it necessary! It obviously was or else it wouldn’t have happened. Do you see the pattern of self-justification now emerging? How I long for our new bodies and all that goes with them.

Before we take communion, before we break bread, we are instructed to judge ourselves least we be judged with the world. It is an instruction from God to us, His children. There is a time and a place for us to be sober as we examine our lives before a holy God; “Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.” (1Corinthians 11:28-32) 

Our daily walks must involve self reflection. But I believe we can also take this too far, how are we to work out the correct balance? There is no easy answer, but Paul gives us inkling on how we should appropriate judgment to our lives; "All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. (1Corinthians 10:23-24) – And – “I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience? If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.” (1Corinthians 10:29-33)

With that now as my psyche, do I live out my life with others in mind; for the most part I am guilty of this mistake. Is that why my computer crashed? Or could it be something else? Am I living nonchalantly in the closet areas of my life? It could well be for this reason! I cannot say with any certainty why this happened, but after self examination I have to conclude that my opinions can never overshadow the Word of God. One thing I am sure of is that coincidences do not play a part in our lives. God is sovereign and in perfect control, even in the so called little areas of our lives. I must find rest in this verse; “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) 

Having said so much, I also believe there is a season for all things and maybe it is time for me to sit back and reflect a little more on my life and where it is leading me as I sit back in the shadows and let others do the talking and look to learn from them. What that actually means I will have to work out.

Signing off

Tyrone

  

Our Daily Experiences!

(Proverbs 11:25) “He that watereth shall be watered also himself.”

Unfortunately my computer woes continue, I had just about finished this morning’s blog and my computer crashed, I think the power supply has said goodbye.  My laptop has also played up and now I am on my notebook, but I think I get the point! We will thus rely on my brother Spurgeon for his words of wisdom…

“We are here taught the great lesson, that to get, we must give; that to accumulate, we must scatter; that to make ourselves happy, we must make others happy; and that in order to become spiritually vigorous, we must seek the spiritual good of others. In watering others, we are ourselves watered. How? Our efforts to be useful, bring out our powers for usefulness. We have latent talents and dormant faculties, which are brought to light by exercise. Our strength for labour is hidden even from ourselves, until we venture forth to fight the Lord’s battles, or to climb the mountains of difficulty. We do not know what tender sympathies we possess until we try to dry the widow’s tears, and soothe the orphan’s grief. We often find in attempting to teach others, that we gain instruction for ourselves. Oh, what gracious lessons some of us have learned at sick beds! We went to teach the Scriptures, we came away blushing that we knew so little of them. In our converse with poor saints, we are taught the way of God more perfectly for ourselves and get a deeper insight into divine truth. So that watering others makes us humble. We discover how much grace there is where we had not looked for it; and how much the poor saint may outstrip us in knowledge. Our own comfort is also increased by our working for others. We endeavour to cheer them, and the consolation gladdens our own heart. Like the two men in the snow; one chafed the other’s limbs to keep him from dying, and in so doing kept his own blood in circulation, and saved his own life. The poor widow of Sarepta gave from her scanty store a supply for the prophet’s wants, and from that day she never again knew what want was. Give then, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and running over.” (C.H.Spurgeon)

Signing off

Tyrone

What is Good?

(Proverbs 16:20) “Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good.”

It is the goodness of God that leads a man to repentance, and yet how will a man know, unless he hears the preacher who has been sent to preach. But what will that man preach in order that a sinner may find repentance and come home? The “WORD OF GOD”! And where do we find what God has said? In the Bible! And who is the written Word always making reference too? None other than the Lord Jesus Christ; praise His blessed name!

Therefore goodness can and will only ever be found in and through the Lord Jesus.

Sure we often make reference to a good cup of coffee, or a great Cuban cigar as good and sometime we even say it is very good. In fact, that is exactly my thought this morning. This is always a good time for me, early mornings, but what makes it good? Is it because it is so peaceful and everyone is still sleeping or is it because of what I receive from the Word of God? The truthful answer would be, both! Although they both have their place in our lives, one is always good while the other may only seem good and at times overshadow our judgment calls as we push aside God’s Word for what we think is good and wholesome i.e., a clean wholesome holiday with the family, a fishing trip with friends or a trip into the Kruger National Park or Timbavati where I love to get lost in nature. And on our return from such a holiday when asked, how was it? We often reply, it was good, great or very relaxing as it was no doubt exactly that. New strength to push on once again, but this was not King Solomon’s (the author of Proverbs) intention when he speaks about “discovering good”. Let us not fall into what seems to be a harmless trap; shelving the Word of God (the Bible) for what we sometimes think is good, clean and sinless in principle; let’s face it, who would ever fault us for taking a holiday with family in some game park, where there is no TV or shopping mall that distracts us with its sinful lures.

What is the very first thing we pack when taking a holiday? Is it our bibles or do we take a break from that as well? The only true place we will ever find what is truly good is in God’s Word. I agree that nature itself teachers us that there is a God, in fact the Apostle Pauls teachers us that through it God proves His existence; “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” (Romans 1:18-20) 

My point this morning may seem frivolous, but it is more subtle than we realise, please give it some thought. We accept certain traits or habit in our lives and accept them as good but are appalled by the other obvious sins in our lives, well I am anyway! But both mind-sets have their traps, think on these things and you too will arrive at the same conclusion; “Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good.”

The bible is our life line for this life and everyday living, may we never overlook this truth; all the words in it speaks of life for the believer and when discovered it sparks its goodness into our lives. We must make it a daily priority to search it out.

If we feel that life is not very good and it is getting us down, a change for the better, can and will only ever be found in the Word of God. Moving house or going on holiday will not solve our dilemma. Goodness is available to the child of God, it is just inches away, so I implore you, reach out to it and find its goodness in and through the Lord Jesus Christ!

The beloved disciple John understood this better than most; look how he begins his gospel; “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him (the Jews). But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1-14)

Therefore the Word (the Bible) is full of written accounts about the Lord Jesus; everything about it points us to Him. If this is now our persuasion then we too can echo the words of David; “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalms 23:6)

They that give themselves to the Word shall find good in it and good by it. And whoever trusts in the Lord, in his Word which they attends to, is happy and will live in peace.

Praise His holy name!

Signing off

Tyrone    

Stand and Feed!

(Micah 5:4) “He shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord.”

This morning I wish to stop and pause reflecting on self. We can get lost with what is happening around us, I often tend to focus on others without focusing on myself. This is definitely one of my nagging traits. It is all very well to expose error but when we do we become judges, we are called to judge, and this is in accordance with God’s Word, especially when it comes to “sound doctrine”. However, we are never instructed to seek out self-justification as we consider ourselves better than someone else. We are all sinners and need a redeemer, and if we are born again, then we are justified by Christ’s sacrifice and not our own. I wonder why on-going sanctification seems to want to rob us of this if misconstrued. The pat on the back syndrome is never helpful, all it does is sets us up for the fall; “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.” (Proverbs 16:18-19) 

Today is a day to sit back, catch my breath, focus and to listen. At present I need to look for the greatest nourishment a man can receive, the Lord Jesus our great shepherd leads us to green pastures, but will we stand and feed in the strength of the Lord? I pray we will all set aside time for reflection and even the more as we see that day approaching.

“Christ’s reign in his Church is that of a shepherd-king. He has supremacy, but it is the superiority of a wise and tender shepherd over his needy and loving flock; he commands and receives obedience, but it is the willing obedience of the well-cared-for sheep, rendered joyfully to their beloved Shepherd, whose voice they know so well. He rules by the force of love and the energy of goodness.

His reign is practical in its character. It is said, “He shall stand and feed.” The great Head of the Church is actively engaged in providing for his people. He does not sit down upon the throne in empty state, or hold a sceptre without wielding it in government. No, he stands and feeds. The expression “feed,” in the original, is like an analogous one in the Greek, which means to shepherdize, to do everything expected of a shepherd: to guide, to watch, to preserve, to restore, to tend, as well as to feed.

His reign is continual in its duration. It is said, “He shall stand and feed”; not “He shall feed now and then, and leave his position”; not, “He shall one day grant a revival, and then next day leave his Church to barrenness.” His eyes never slumber, and his hands never rest; his heart never ceases to beat with love, and his shoulders are never weary of carrying his people’s burdens.

His reign is effectually powerful in its action; “He shall feed in the strength of Jehovah.” Wherever Christ is, there is God; and whatever Christ does is the act of the Most High. Oh! it is a joyful truth to consider that he who stands to-day representing the interests of his people is very God of very God, to whom every knee shall bow. Happy are we who belong to such a shepherd, whose humanity communes with us, and whose divinity protects us. Let us worship and bow down before him as the people of his pasture.” (C.H.Spurgeon)

“He shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord.” (Micah 5:4)

Let us therefore feed in the strength of the Lord, Amen!

Signing off

Tyrone

  

God's Army!

(Luke 9:50) But Jesus said to him, "Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you."

The more I unpeel the layers to this topic; “the body of Christ” the more vicious I realize the attack. I love the Word of God so much; it always eventually shines into the areas of our lives that at times seem impossible to get too. It is so full of life! All glory and honour belongs to our King the Word Himself, the Lord Jesus! There are many voices that echo through the night, influencing our thoughts, although many of those voices are indeed helpful, there are many frivolous foolish words spoken by some that would be better left unsaid.

I am thankful that the Lord is bringing me to a head on this topic and as He is the head of the body of Christ, we all need to remember this truth. There seems to be far too many rallying for that position. We would never openly admit that amongst our immediate circle of friends, or family of God. But that position is taken, and how thankful I am for that. The sooner we all learn this, the freer we will be to get on with what God has willed for our lives.

We must remember the warning of James; instability is like water, it moves with the tides and currents. It is not stable like the rock, immovable and sure! We must build upon the rock, the head, Jesus Christ our Lord! We must learn to trust his headship and leave that to Him, if not we will have been lured into Satan’s trap and there are many that find themselves taken at will by his cunningness.

What then are my thoughts this morning? Here goes, please pay careful attention. Here are some of the facts according to the Holy Scriptures; the “body of Christ” is made up of many members, and the Lord Jesus is the head. Every member that He has placed into that body needs each other, whether we think this to be true or not, it is God’s design. Satan’s attack is on that body; so when the opinions of various members of the body endeavors to dominate other members, sin plays its part. The true teachers of God are looking to establish sound doctrine within the body, which we must all be thankful for. But when no place is given to the other members to add their measure, using their God given talent to unify the body and build upon the true rock, then we are not acting in accordance with God’s design. This in turn allows the evil one to cause dissention within the ranks and we end up like water being tossed about. Do not be fooled, we are then rendered useless, unstable in all our ways!

His (devil) purpose is to get us to lose our love one for another and this will happen even the more as we see that day approaching. How do I know this? The Word of God has warned me this will happen, and so it must! But it is important that we do not get drawn into this web of deceit: - “And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.” (Matthew 24:12)  

“The abating of love; this is the consequence of the former; Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. Understand it in general of true serious godliness, which is all summed up in love; it is too common for professors of religion to grow cool in their profession, when the wicked are hot in their wickedness; as the church of Ephesus in bad times left her first love, Rev_2:2-4. Or, it may be understood more particularly of brotherly love. When iniquity abounds, seducing iniquity, persecuting iniquity, this grace commonly waxes cold. Christians begin to be shy and suspicious one of another, affections are alienated, distances created, parties made, and so love comes to nothing. The devil is the accuser of the brethren, not only to their enemies, which makes persecuting iniquity abound, but one to another, which makes the love of many to wax cold.

This gives a melancholy prospect of the times, that there shall be such a great decay of love; but, First, It is of the love of many, not of all. In the worst of times, God has his remnant that hold fast their integrity, and retain their zeal (may we be amongst that number-my thought), as in Elijah's days, when he thought himself left alone. Secondly, This love is grown cold, but not dead; it abates, but is not quite cast off. There is life in the root, which will show itself when the winter is past. The new nature may wax cold, but shall not wax old, for then it would decay and vanish away.” (Matthew Henry)

With that said; what must we guard against? We must not do the work of the devil and attack the brethren. Many seem to get on their hobby horse and they keep flogging without any mercy, what is that about! Sure we must recognise the enemy and exposed false teachers and the false prophets but we must also remember that those who are for the Lord Jesus, are not against Him. Do you remember the disciple’s dilemma when they encountered others preaching the gospel and casting out demons? What did they do? They tried to prohibit those who weren’t with them to stop preaching, but the Lord was not happy with them and this was His response; “John answered, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us." But Jesus said to him, "Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you." (Luke 9:49-50) – Note, what I find interesting here is the word “you”, the Lord stresses that they are on the same side and fighting alongside one another, they wore the same coat of arms, even though they were not following the disciples and what they had come to understand as truth, and let’s face it they walked and talked with the Lord in person and had a greater understanding than those who had not walked with the Lord, or at least they should have had. I trust we take note of this!

Do you see the body principle in operation here? I do! God give us eyes to see, and to distinguish between our brothers and the enemy, we often end up attacking the wrong people. And not for one minute am I condoning the false teachers and prophets, if you know me well enough you would know that I am vexed by what they propagate, they are the enemies of God. But not all fall into this category. We need wisdom to differentiate between the two and this is what we then pray for Father God. Give us eye to see and help us lock hands with our brothers wherever they may be situated across the globe and help us guard against the love of many waxing cold.

I see another great attack and that is on the gifts of God, so until tomorrow then…

Signing off

Tyrone    

  

A clear Instruction!

(Proverbs 12:15) “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”

What an amazing contrast between the wise and the foolish. This truth can be witnessed throughout all of scripture, great emphasis is place on the difference extremes in one’s rational and many examples have been used through time to illustrate the point. The wise have peace with God but the foolish often lay licking their wounds. Obviously life is a journey and it is there to teach us to become wise.

Yet in the back of my mind I still seek out an answer for our (my) deliberation, our role in the body of Christ. My friend Malcolm reminded me that after salvation we are baptized into the body of Christ, not that I did not know this, but a reminder is sometimes needed. We are the church and if so we must take up our roles with more urgency.

Interestingly I have been lead to examine the difference between the wise and the fool. Like I have mentioned before I do not believe in co-incidences and neither should you, not if you believe in the sovereignty of God. Everything has been mapped; all we need do is find the path and seek out God’s wisdom for our lives; - “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24) - Anything outside of this must be classed as foolish.

Our journey does however consist of many different categories and I think Paul best explains it; “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2) – And yes, life is a test, which will help us determine what God’s will is for our lives and we see that our lives consists of what is acceptable, good and perfect. Some facets being more importance than others in our lives…

Where we live and what standing we may have amongst our community would fall under the “acceptable”, whether we drive a car or catch taxis has very little bearing on the perfect will of God. Our financial status has very little relevance on God’s perfect will. All we have been taught by scripture is to owe no man anything, except to love our neighbour as ourselves: - “Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13:7-8) 

We must grow to understand that any debt is not part of God’s will, this is clear from scripture; The Lord Jesus has paid the debt for our sin in full, by dying of that cruel roman cross, a picture of God’s perfect will. Do we see the principle that should be taken into our lives as we learn to live accordingly? Debt in any form or shape is not the will of God! Now obviously I speak after our old natures, anything to do with sin must be pushed aside, or at least we must will it out of our lives. We must give no opportunity to the flesh if we want to find God’s will for our lives, at times, easier said than done, but nevertheless the truth. We are in fact debtors, not to the flesh, but to the Spirit of God. And yes this is the perfect will of God; can this be proved?-“So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"” (Romans 8:12-15) 

What now of our roles in the body of Christ, it is obvious that it is God’s will that we find our place as active members in His church, remembering that we are part of the bride of Christ. What partner in any upcoming marriage is not involved with their partner and the upcoming wedding arrangements? How can it then be any different for us if we are not willing to get involved with other brothers and sisters in Christ? I think we sometimes forget that we are only a piece of the puzzle, one member of His body and that without the other members we are rendered useless. Have you ever seen a nose operating independently of its body? How ridiculous, but I say it is no different if we look to operate independently outside of the body of Christ; - “But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” (1Corinthians 12:18-27)

We must learn to actively take up our role in a local church, wherever we may find ourselves.   

With that said what of my dilemma? I am fully persuaded that God’s perfect will for every believers life is to take up their place in  the body of Christ (the church), but what is one to do if one sees error? Two wrong definitely do not make a right, all it does is compounds the error.

This topic is far from over, until tomorrow then…

Signing off

Tyrone

God Given Talents!

(1Corinthians 12:27)  “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”

Let us continue to consider the “body of Christ”, making sure we are faithful to the gifts we have been given. That is quite a mouthful. On reflection at present I see myself as an antique dealer. No, that description would be to generous, an antique hoarder is more like it! What a travesty, but having said that it would be worse to wallow in these considerations than to get on with the task at hand, which would be to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. So, let’s move on…

The parable of the talents comes to mind and interestingly enough this chapter comes after that all informative chapter in Matthew 24 on the “end times” and what we are to be on the lookout for.

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money.” (Matthew 25:13-18) 

“Here is a practical inference drawn from this parable (Mat_25:13); Watch therefore, We had it before (Mat_24:42), and here it is repeated as the most needful caution. Note, 1. Our great duty is to watch, to attend to the business of our souls with the utmost diligence and circumspection. Be awake, and be wakeful. 2. It is a good reason for our watching, that the time of our Lord's coming is very uncertain; we know neither the day nor the hour. Therefore every day and every hour we must be ready, and not off our watch any day in the year, or any hour in the day. Be thou in the fear of the Lord every day and all the day long.” (Matthew Henry)

May God instil in each of His wondering children a godly fear, with the mind-set as watchmen scouting the horizon for His appearing, as if our life depends upon it, for it does!

“We have here the parable of the talents committed to three servants; this implies that we are in a state of work and business, as the former implies that we are in a state of expectancy. That showed the necessity of habitual preparation, this of actual diligence in our present work and service. In that we were stirred up to do well for our own souls; in this to lay out ourselves for the glory of God and the good of others.

In this parable, 1. The Master is Christ, who is the absolute Owner and Proprietor of all persons and things, and in a special manner of his church; into his hands all things are delivered. 2. The servants are Christians, his own servants, so they are called; born in his house, bought with his money, devoted to his praise, and employed in his work. It is probable that ministers are specially intended here, who are more immediately attending on him, and sent by him. St. Paul often calls himself a servant of Jesus Christ. See 2Ti_2:24.

We have three things, in general, in this parable.

I. The trust committed to these servants; Their master delivered to them his goods: having appointed them to work (for Christ keeps no servants to be idle), he left them something to work upon. Note, 1. Christ's servants have and receive their all from him; for they are of themselves worth nothing, nor have any thing they can call their own but sin. 2. Our receiving from Christ is in order to our working for him. Our privileges are intended to find us with business. The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 3. Whatever we receive to be made use of for Christ, still the property is vested in him; we are but tenants upon his land, stewards of his manifold grace, 1Pe_4:10. Now observe here,

(1.) On what occasion this trust was committed to these servants: The master was travelling into a far country. This is explained, Eph_4:8. When he ascended on high, he gave gifts to men. Note, [1.] When Christ went to heaven, he was as a man travelling into a far country; that is, he went with a purpose to be away a great while. [2.] When he went, he took care to furnish his church with all things necessary for it during his personal absence. For, and in consideration of, his departure, he committed to his church truths, laws, promises and powers; these were the parakatathēkē - the great depositum (as it is called, 1Ti_6:20; 2Ti_1:14), the good thing that is committed to us; and he sent his Spirit to enable his servants to teach and profess those truths, to press and observe those laws, to improve and apply those promises, and to exercise and employ those powers, ordinary or extraordinary. Thus Christ, at his ascension, left his goods to his church.

(2.) In what proportion this trust was committed. [1.] He gave talents; a talent of silver is computed to be in our money three hundred and fifty-three pounds eleven shillings and ten pence halfpenny; so the learned Bishop Cumberland. Note, Christ's gifts are rich and valuable, the purchases of his blood inestimable, and none of them mean. [2.] He gave to some more, to others less; to one five talents, to another two, to another one; to every one according to his several ability. When Divine Providence has made a difference in men's ability, as to mind, body, estate, relation, and interest, divine grace dispenses spiritual gifts accordingly, but still the ability itself is from him. Observe, First, Every one had some one talent at least, and that is not a despicable stock for a poor servant to begin with. A soul of our own is the one talent we are every one of us entrusted with, and it will find us with work. Hoc nempe ab homine exigiture, ut prosit hominibus; si fieri potest, multis; si minus, paucis; si minus, proximis, si minus, sibi: nam cum se utilem caeteris efficit, commune agit negotium. Et si quis bene de se meretur, hoc ipso aliis prodest quod aliis profuturum parat - It is the duty of a man to render himself beneficial to those around him; to a great number if possible; but if this is denied him, to a few; to his intimate connections; or, at least, to himself. He that is useful to others, may be reckoned a common good. And whoever entitles himself to his own approbation, is serviceable to others, as forming himself to those habits which will result in their favour. Seneca de Otio Sapient. Secondly, All had not alike, for they had not all alike abilities and opportunities. God is a free Agent, dividing to every man severally as he will; some are cut out for service in one kind, others in another, as the members of the natural body. When the householder had thus settled his affairs, he straightway took his journey. Our Lord Jesus, when he had given commandments to his apostles, as one in haste to be gone, went to heaven.” (Matthew Henry)

We all seek out our own role in the body of Christ (the local church) we must be of this mind-set. But to what extent are we commanded to compromise, if that in fact is what we are meant to do? I still have not arrived at any conclusion, except to say this, if you find yourself not attending a church for personal reasons, and not doctrinal motives then you would be at fault and on dangerous ground. Father God help us, be about your business and not our earthly passions I pray! Help us to distinguish between the two, Amen!

More must be explored on this topic, so until tomorrow then…

Signing off

Tyrone

Grace!

(2Corinthians 12:9) “But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."”

My life seems to be so full of constant questions, and it can be a bit overwhelming at times. So many thoughts and yet with what appears to be so little victory. There is no doubt, place for all these thoughts, and we are instructed to reason with a sober mind, but I wonder how often we play into the hand of the enemy. The pendulum of reason tends to swing with extremities for so many and I am amongst that number. What child does not want to please his father? Some children are naturally talented on the sports field while others just do not have the gift, but put both on a field and they will each look to shine and win their father’s praise. No, in fact the one with less talent will need his father’s praise even the more!

I so often tend to forget that it is by grace we have been saved through faith, and that is a gift of God. This morning I feel for the fainting warrior, those who lag behind the rest as they struggle to keep pace with the bunch, I am often in that pack, but as soon as I pick up the pace and make my way to the front, it is not long before I once again am humbled and seem to be picking up the rear. I forget that it is by grace that I have been saved! Does this happen to every Christian? Yes it does and it must be part of our experience. Why one may ask? Because it keeps us humble! Some of us probably live most of our lives in a confused state as we often ask the question, why? I must confess that I am one prone to pride and therefore need to be often humbled. But we must not resent this but rather be thankful for it, God is on our side, praise His name!

Let us never forget that it is by grace that we have been saved, and that is a gift of God, not of works lest anyone ends us boasting. It is God’s brilliant design to keep us calling out to Him. Remember the Apostle Paul, probably the greatest of all the Apostles according to the flesh, if there could ever be such a title, we know that there could never be such a designation, but for the sake of this illustration let’s look at his life as our example and we see even through this great man’s example that God sent a messenger of Satan to buffet him; “So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.” (2Corinthians 12:7)

I wonder how often we bog ourselves down with our failed lives as Christians. When all it is, is a thorn in the flesh to keep us humble? I suppose it gets tricky if we use it as an excuse to justify sin in our lives. Nevertheless this was what God chose for Paul’s life in this area of his life. We see him wrestling with his own weakness; Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2Corinthians 12:8-9) – We must learn to accept the things we cannot change and remember that it is by grace we have been saved through faith and that it is a gift of God. Our persuasion must give place for wanting to live more Godly in Christ and sometimes that means we should stop fighting for the things we cannot change. God give us eyes to see the difference between excusing sin and accepting the fact that we have been saved by grace and it is not about our abilities but the accomplishment of what Christ achieved on that cruel Roman cross as He defeated sin and the devil.

So until tomorrow, with that now in mind; Lord willing, let us move on with yesterday’s blog; finding our place in the body of Christ.

Signing off

Tyrone

    

    

Our Role in God's Church... part 1!

(1Corinthians 12:27)  “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”

To be led by the Spirit of God, what does that look like? What Instruction does the Bible give us concerning this all important coaching? Just maybe I have not been as diligent as I should have, this is now a lot more urgent than we could ever imagine, not only when you prepare for church on Sunday or I for my blog, but we must constantly seek it out. Why is this truth pivotal? If not, we will lose our way! Just maybe I have lost my way concerning the “body principle” (my role as an active member in the church), this is God’s design for every believe, we must work it out with fear and trembling and not find ourselves going down a road that is according to our own good pleasure and not God’s designed preference for our lives.

Why is it that I now am not actively involved with a church and why is it that I resist all the church’s I visit? I like to believe that I see them not sticking to God’s design as He has intended for all his people, most have a man centered ideology linked to it in one form or another. Or is it my own divisive heart that leads me to believe this? These are serious considerations! Are my objection justified or am I playing into the hand of the evil one?

Do not be fooled, Satan is very skillful with his troublesome poisonous arrows and he constantly shoots them at our understanding on this topic. How so? He does it no differently to us, in the way he did it to the Lord Jesus, when He was here on earth. Let me explain; He manipulates the use of scripture and thus propagates confusion amongst the brethren. We understand that God is sovereign and He has allowed this to happen, why? - It in turn, will fashion us into the people we are, it will work out for our good; that is, if we love God and if we have been called by God according to His purpose. Our understanding must hinge on this truth. If not we beat the air as a hopeless man and at will are lead astray by the devils fiery darts. This is by no means a simple topic, but very needful that we investigate its direction for our lives. And once again it is the Word of God that is our final authority. Nothing else will suffice!

A good place to start would be to look at the devils plot against the Lord Jesus; “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" - (The Word of God is more important than daily bread- my thought) - Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, "'He will command his angels concerning you,' and "'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'" – (We do not have the prerogative to test our God even though we are his children- my thought) - Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written, "'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'"” – (Nothing in our lives should take preference in serving Him and His will for our lives- my thought) - (Matthew 4:1-10)

As I believe I stand on the Word of God to justify my position on this topic and I possibly have been blinded by my own obsession, I believe it would be wise to get another brothers perspective on this text, an unbiased one, a trusted man who simply deals with the text as it has been written and hopefully learn from him.

This topic may also need a number of posts to arrive at its conclusion as I believe we will have to travel slowly in seeking out answers for God’s direction to these areas of our lives.

It is needful to first lay down a foundational setting and that is exactly what Matthew Henry does…

“We have here the story of a famous duel, fought hand to hand, between Michael and the dragon, the Seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent, nay, the serpent himself; in which the seed of the woman suffers, being tempted, and so has his heel bruised; but the serpent is quite baffled in his temptations, and so has his head broken; and our Lord Jesus comes off a Conqueror, and so secures not only comfort, but conquest at last, to all his faithful followers. Concerning Christ's temptation, observe,

I. The time when it happened: Then; there is an emphasis laid upon that. Immediately after the heavens were opened to him, and the Spirit descended on him, and he was declared to be the Son of God, and the Saviour of the world, the next news we hear of him is, he is tempted; for then he is best able to grapple with the temptation. Note, 1. Great privileges, and special tokens of divine favour, will not secure us from being tempted. Nay, 2. After great honours put upon us, we must expect something that is humbling; as Paul has a messenger of Satan sent to buffer him, after he had been in the third heavens. 3. God usually prepares his people for temptation before he calls them to it; he gives strength according to the day, and, before a sharp trial, gives more than ordinary comfort. 4. The assurance of our sonship is the best preparative for temptation. If the good Spirit witness to our adoption, that will furnish us with an answer to all the suggestions of the evil spirit, designed either to debauch or disquiet us.

Then, when he was newly come from a solemn ordinance, when he was baptized, then he was tempted. Note, After we have been admitted into the communion of God, we must expect to be set upon by Satan. The enriched soul must double its guard. When thou has eaten and art full, then beware. Then, when he began to show himself publicly to Israel, then he was tempted, so as he never had been while he lived in privacy. Note, The Devil has a particular spite at useful persons, who are not only good, but given to do good, especially at their first setting out. It is the advice of the Son of Sirach (Ecclesiasticus 2:1), My son, if thou come to serve the Lord, prepare thyself for temptation. Let young ministers know what to expect, and arm accordingly. II. The place where it was; in the wilderness; probably in the great wilderness of Sinai, where Moses and Elijah fasted forty days, for no part of the wilderness of Judea was so abandoned to wild beasts as this is said to have been, Mar_1:13. When Christ was baptized, he did not go to Jerusalem, there to publish the glories that had been put upon him, but retired into a wilderness. After communion with God, it is good to be private awhile, lest we lose what we have received, in the crowd and hurry of worldly business. Christ withdrew into the wilderness, 1. To gain advantage to himself. Retirement gives an opportunity for meditation an communion with God; even they who are called to the most active life must yet have their contemplative hours, and must first find time to be alone with God. Those are not fit to speak of the things of God in public to others, who have not first conversed with those things in secret by themselves. When Christ would appear as a Teacher come from God, it shall not be said of him, “He is newly come from travelling, he has been abroad, and has seen the world;” but, “He is newly come out of the desert, he has been alone conversing with God and his own heart.” 2. To give advantage to the tempter, that he might have a readier access to him than he could have had in company. Note, Though solitude is a friend to a good heart, yet Satan knows how to improve it against us. Woe to him that is alone. Those who, under pretence of sanctity and devotion, retire into dens and deserts, find that they are not out of reach of their spiritual enemies, and that there they want the benefit of the communion with saints. Christ retired, (1.) To make his victory the more illustrious, he gave the enemy sun and wind on his side, and yet baffled him. He might give the Devil advantage, for the prince of this world had nothing in him; but he has in us, and therefore we must pray not to be led into temptation, and must keep out of harm's way. (2.) That he might have an opportunity to do his best himself, that he might be exalted in his own strength; for so it was written, I have trod the wine-press alone, and of the people there was none with me. Christ entered the lists without a second.” (Matthew Henry)

Much food for thought so let us withdraw as we follow our dear brother’s instruction and draw aside as we seek out answers for our lives; “and must first find time to be alone with God.”

Let us do exactly that, as we look to commune with Him privately and alone in our closets. Pray for me, and pray for yourselves as it is essential that we get to grips with our role in the body of Christ (the church), we must work out how we fit into God’s plan in this area of our lives.

Until tomorrow then,

Signing off

Tyrone